Codependency (Part 1 of 5): An Overview
Meier Clinics Moment – January 1st, 2025 Focus on the Family Counseling Staff Jill’s story Jill told her counselor about trying to save two failed marriages, both with husbands who struggled with substance abuse and were abusive and unfaithful. Now her third marriage was playing out the same way. Jill shared that Dad abandoned the […]
Managing Unrealistic Expectations During the Holidays
Meier Clinics Moments – October 30, 2024 Focus on the Family Counseling Staff Holiday gatherings are on the horizon, and it’s easy to imagine that this year will hold picture-perfect celebrations — with everyone happy and cooperative. But reality can be quick to fall short, says author Dr. Greg Smalley: Our expectations often set us […]
The Power of Asking Good Questions
Meier Clinics Moment – September 27, 2024 Focus on the Family Counseling Staff Think of a time someone asked you a great question — one that made you feel seen and understood. Because of how someone took an interest in you and listened to your response, you knew that your emotions, perspectives, and experiences mattered. […]
Teen Rebellion: Behavior With a Reason
Focus on the Family Counseling Staff This information is directed to parents and teens working through normal struggles of healthy teenage autonomy. If your teen is in crisis and is blatantly rebellious (whether from substance abuse, mental health issues, violent behavior, or other concerns), reach out for professional help. The topic of teen rebellion usually […]
A Bully or Just Rude?
Focus on the Family Counseling Staff We all encounter run-of-the-mill rudeness. But bullying is a deliberate attack on another person’s worth and dignity. We need to have ongoing conversations with our kids about the difference between rudeness (hurt) and bullying (harm). When your child is on the receiving end of someone’s bad behavior, three questions […]
Is It Just A Fight Or Emotional Abuse?
This piece can only offer a brief overview of a complex topic. If you suspect that you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship, go to a safe place and call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or visit them online at thehotline.org Everyone has an occasional bad day and reacts to other […]
Tips for Communicating With Teens: How to Unlock Your Teen’s Brain and Ask Good Questions
Focus on the Family Counseling Staff An adolescent’s brain undergoes a literal “pruning” process, explain Jeramy and Jerusha Clark in Focus on the Family’s broadcast Understanding How Your Teen Thinks. Here are four helpful tips from that conversation. Four tips to unlock your teen’s brain 1.) Understand the power of shorter conversations “Think of it […]
How Practicing Spiritual Disciplines Can Positively Impact Your Mental Health
Throughout church history, people who know Jesus as their Savior and Lord have practiced spiritual disciplines. Practicing habits of devotion isn’t about rules or trying to conform to “acceptable” actions you impose on yourself (or that others set for you). Instead, these disciplines deepen your relationship with God so you can be conformed to the image of Jesus. We discipline ourselves — train ourselves […]
9 Reasons to Get Married
By: Dr. Greg Smalley Why is marriage more than a formal declaration of love and commitment between two people? Learn about nine good reasons to get married. Watch a classic black-and-white movie, and you pretty much know how it’s going to end. In an old-fashioned Western, the white-hatted hero will ride into the sunset. A monster movie? The monster won’t survive to the credits (until the next sequel comes […]